Seasonal Allergies, more commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, occur when trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air. People who are sensitive respond by experiencing itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing symptoms caused by exposure to pollen particles inhaled from these sources.
If home remedies, over-the-counter medications and decongestants do not help relieve symptoms, doctors may recommend immunotherapy treatment. This involves giving injections of allergens over several months or years in order to decrease immune reactions and the body’s immune response.
Spring
As soon as spring begins, trees, grass and weeds start pollinating, setting off seasonal allergies. Allergens like tree and grass pollen as well as mold and mildew spores may trigger symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, irritated throats and headaches – with the latter symptoms worsened if chronic inflammatory conditions like eczema flare up during allergy season.
Pollen is one of the main culprits behind spring allergies. Pollen grains released into the air help fertilize plants, but when they come into contact with someone with an allergy it can set off their immune system into overdrive. Tree pollen (birch, oak and maple pollen) typically increases between March and early May before peaking around April/May time. Rye grass pollen and timothy grass pollen also frequently trigger spring allergies.
Ragweed season typically lasts from mid-June through late August in the US, and can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. Unlike other allergens, its pollen does not move through the air with wind currents; rather it moves on its own through air currents.
Summer
Common symptoms of seasonal allergies (also known as “hay fever”) include itchy eyes and runny nose. An allergy develops when your immune system mistakes harmless substances like pollen as threats and reacts with symptoms like itchy eyes, nose or throat itching, sneezing and congestion.
Pollen counts increase again during summer as trees blossom and release pollen into the air, producing high pollen counts that affect people with allergies to grass or weeds (commonly known as “hay fever”) if temperatures become very hot and humid, particularly if ragweed pollen becomes an allergen causing seasonal allergy symptoms late summer through fall. Other allergens that could impact people with seasonal allergies in summer include nettle, mugwort, burning bush and sagebrush.
If you suffer from allergies, over-the-counter medications can provide much-needed relief. Antihistamine pills and nasal sprays may reduce sneezing and itching while rinses or saline sprays may wash away allergens from your nose and throat. If these treatments don’t help enough, speak with your physician. They may refer you for allergy testing so you can identify exactly which triggers are causing symptoms before working with an allergist to design a plan designed to provide relief.
Fall
Autumn brings with it allergies that can manifest themselves through runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat and nasal congestion. Allergic reactions often linger even after autumn has ended, leaving sufferers sneezing and coughing throughout wintertime. According to experts, fall allergies this year could be more intense due to global warming.
Allergens like ragweed, burning bush, curly dock, cocklebur, sheep sorrel and tumbleweed all increase dramatically during autumn. But mold growth is also prevalent during this season – both on rotting leaves and wood, as well as inside homes where moist surfaces trap it.
As the weather cools down, allergenic fungi such as alternaria and aspergillus fumigatus also become more prominent, potentially triggering sinus pressure and dry cough, as well as oral allergy syndrome symptoms.
Assuming you are experiencing allergic symptoms, over-the-counter and prescription allergy medication may help. Allergy sufferers can reduce exposure by closing windows during high pollen counts, staying indoors when outside activities increase and premedicating with antihistamines or corticosteroids two hours before going outside. For additional tips to live a healthier lifestyle sign up today with CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter.
Winter
Allergies during winter may be particularly troublesome for certain individuals, due to early tree pollination that triggers allergic symptoms in spring. Mild temperatures also encourage rapid plant growth and molds that trigger allergies later on during the year, especially for those sensitive to indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander that might contribute to seasonal flare-ups throughout the year.
An allergist is the best way to diagnose seasonal allergies. These specialized physicians specialize in diagnosing and treating an array of allergic conditions. At an allergy consultation, an allergist will review a patient’s medical history before conducting diagnostic tests that target specific allergens that cause allergy reactions – this may involve skin prick testing or blood work that measures antibodies against specific allergens.
An allergy specialist will create an individual treatment plan tailored specifically to each of his or her patients’ individual needs, including medications, natural remedies, immunotherapy (injecting small doses of allergens to gradually desensitize the immune system over time) or immunotherapy injections – this treatment option may be particularly useful in managing severe allergies. Other ways that may reduce winter allergies include regularly cleaning and vacuuming as well as using air purifiers, keeping pets out of bedrooms, using air purifiers and keeping regular maintenance of home environments clean!
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